Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
REVELATION 11:17KJVWhat does Revelation 11:17 mean?
Revelation 11:17 describes a moment of worship where voices in heaven thank God, calling Him "Lord God Almighty" who exists in the past, present, and future, because He has taken up His great power and begun to reign. The verse highlights God’s eternal nature and the beginning of His active rule.
In the setting of Revelation 11, the twenty-four elders in heaven are speaking, addressing God directly in response to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This is a turning point in the vision, where God’s authority is being openly acknowledged, and His reign is celebrated as something that is now being fully realized.
The Greek behind Revelation 11:17
- "Almighty" (παντοκράτωρ, pantokratōr): This word emphasizes God’s all-encompassing power, stressing that nothing is outside His control, which is central to the praise being offered.
- "Which art, and wast, and art to come" (ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho ōn kai ho ēn kai ho erchomenos): This phrase highlights God’s eternal existence—He is present, He was in the past, and He is coming in the future. It underlines the idea that God’s reign is not limited by time.
- "Taken...thy great power" (εἴληφας τὴν δύναμίν σου τὴν μεγάλην, eilēphas tēn dynamin sou tēn megalēn): The Greek here carries the sense of God actively seizing or assuming His power, marking a decisive moment where His rule is being asserted in a new way.
- "Reigned" (ἐβασίλευσας, ebasileusas): This verb is often understood as beginning to reign or taking up kingship, showing a shift from potential authority to actual, visible rule.
Why Revelation 11:17 matters
- Revelation 11:17 clarifies that God’s rule is both eternal and something that becomes especially visible at key moments in history, addressing the tension between God’s ongoing sovereignty and the future hope of His kingdom.
- The verse connects the worship in heaven to the unfolding events on earth, showing that what happens in God’s presence has direct implications for the world.
- By using titles and descriptions that emphasize God’s timelessness and power, the verse reassures readers that God remains in control, even as dramatic changes take place in the vision.